A Curious Tale: The History of Garden Gnomes in the UK

English Gardens
Jul 15
4 min read

Updated: Aug 22

Wander through any British garden and you might stumble upon a small bearded figure peering from behind a flowerpot or standing proudly beside a pond. Love them or loathe them, garden gnomes are firmly rooted in the culture of the UK’s outdoor spaces. These cheerful characters have a surprisingly rich and winding history, one that stretches from ancient myths to Victorian landscapes, wartime mischief, and even modern pop culture.

Let’s step into their whimsical world and explore how garden gnomes became a beloved – and sometimes controversial – staple of the British garden.

Myths, Legends and European Origins

Before the gnome found a permanent home among the delphiniums and daisies of Britain, similar mythical beings roamed through the folklore of many cultures. Creatures like dwarfs, goblins and earth spirits were thought to guard buried treasure, dwell underground, or protect farms and crops from harm. The idea of small, magical humanoids was popular throughout Northern Europe for centuries.

The first recognisable “gnomes” as we know them today appeared in 19th-century Germany. In the early 1800s, a sculptor named Philipp Griebel began producing small terracotta figures of gnomes in the town of Graefenroda, in Thuringia. These figures were inspired by mining folklore and Germanic fairy tales, depicting gnomes as guardians of the earth who worked beneath the soil – ideal mascots for the garden. By the mid-19th century, these ornamental gnomes had become popular across Germany and beyond.

The Arrival of Gnomes in the UK

It didn’t take long for British garden lovers to catch on. In the 1840s, gnomes were introduced to the UK by Sir Charles Isham, a wealthy spiritualist and gardening enthusiast. On a trip to Germany, Isham acquired 21 terracotta gnomes and brought them back to his estate, Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire. There, he placed them throughout his elaborate rockery garden, where they quickly attracted the curiosity and amusement of visitors.

The original gnomes imported by Isham were handmade, beautifully detailed, and entirely unique. Remarkably, one of them – nicknamed “Lampy” – survives to this day and is housed at Lamport Hall. “Lampy” is considered the oldest known garden gnome in the world and is insured for a reported £1 million.

Isham’s use of gnomes wasn’t just for novelty. His spiritualist beliefs led him to view them as representations of elemental beings, guardians of nature. However, most of the Victorian public saw them as a charming eccentricity, and the trend grew.

Twentieth Century Gnome Mania

By the early 20th century, garden gnomes had spread across British gardens, becoming a playful and light-hearted symbol of the cottage garden aesthetic. As production methods improved, gnomes became more affordable and were mass-produced in a variety of materials including plaster, concrete and resin.

Their popularity only increased after World War I and II, as homeowners sought to bring joy and whimsy back into domestic life. The post-war garden was often a place of recovery and recreation, and gnomes played a part in that sense of cheerful escapism.

In the 1960s and 70s, garden gnomes became increasingly kitsch and caricatured, often shown fishing, drinking or snoozing on toadstools. While this endeared them to some, others saw them as a bit naff. This divide in opinion led to their somewhat controversial reputation within certain horticultural circles.

Banned from the Best Gardens

Despite their popularity with the public, garden gnomes have long been frowned upon by more formal institutions. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), for example, banned gnomes and other “brightly coloured mythical creatures” from the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show for decades, believing them to be too frivolous for serious garden design.

This didn’t stop rebellious designers from sneaking gnomes into their displays in protest or jest. In 2013, the ban was temporarily lifted to mark the RHS’s centenary, and over 100 specially decorated gnomes – including ones painted by celebrities – appeared at Chelsea for the first and only time.

The tension between high-brow horticulture and populist charm has long surrounded the gnome. But for many garden owners, that’s exactly what makes them delightful.

Gnomes in Pop Culture and Modern Gardens

In recent years, garden gnomes have enjoyed a renaissance, thanks in part to their appearances in film, TV and internet memes. Animated films like Gnomeo & Juliet and Sherlock Gnomes reimagined the little statues as lively protagonists, while novelty gnome designs – think zombie gnomes, punk gnomes or yoga gnomes – have refreshed their image for a modern audience.

Retailers now offer gnomes in an astonishing range of styles, from classic red-hatted fellows to glow-in-the-dark models and solar-powered variants. Social media has given rise to the “travelling gnome” phenomenon, where people take gnomes on holidays and photograph them in front of famous landmarks.

Eco-conscious gardeners have also embraced the gnome anew. With a focus on pollinator-friendly gardening and relaxed, whimsical design, the gnome has found its place again among the wildflowers and herbs of naturalistic gardens.

Why Do Brits Still Love Garden Gnomes?

There’s something inherently British about the garden gnome. Quirky, unpretentious, and just a bit mischievous, gnomes reflect a national affection for the eccentric. They’re small symbols of nostalgia, humour, and home-grown creativity.

They also serve a practical function, adding visual interest and personality to a garden without the need for major landscaping. Whether tucked beside a rose bush or standing guard over a vegetable patch, gnomes offer a playful touch that invites people to smile – and isn’t that what gardens are for?

A Tradition That Keeps Growing

From their mysterious mythological roots to their status as modern icons of garden kitsch, gnomes have travelled far and evolved much. Yet they remain, at heart, simple guardians of the garden – steadfast, cheerful, and often muddy at the boots.

As British gardens continue to adapt and flourish in the 21st century, it seems the gnome’s story is far from over. Whether you see them as charming companions or comic curiosities, garden gnomes have earned their place in the UK’s horticultural heritage. And like the best garden features, they’ve weathered the seasons and come out smiling.